At its previous meeting, the Metropolis City Council was given a rough draft and asked to consider a noise ordinance.

In an action that will be music to many residents' ears, the council unanimously approved that ordinance at its meeting Monday.

The ordinance amends the Offenses Against Public Order chapter in the city's code adding a noise section.

The ordinance states that "it shall be unlawful for any person within the City of Metropolis to make, continue or cause to be made or continued, any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, convenience, health, peace or safety of others within the limits of the city."

The ordinance specifies, but does not limit, the definition of violating noises to the "1) sounding of any vehicle horn or signaling device except when otherwise authorized by law for safety reasons; and 2) playing, using, operating or permitting to be played any musical instrument, stereo, CD player, radio or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound in such a manner as to being plainly audible at a distance of 150 feet from the location of such device, machine or instrument." The exception is "sound for any outdoor concert or outdoor festival permitted or sponsored by the City of Metropolis."

The penalty for violation of the noise ordinance is a fine of not less than $75 and not more than $750 per violation. A third or subsequent violation of the ordinance "shall also be deemed a public nuisance" and result in court action by the city.

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